The first winner for Champion First Crop Sire and 2YO Sire Uncle Mo when scoring on debut at Keeneland last year, talented colt Outwork (3c Uncle Mo x Nonna Mia, by Empire Maker) is now his 12th stakes-winner and third Grade I winner after capturing the Grade I Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on the weekend.

A homebred for Mike Repole’s Repole Stables prepared by Todd Pletcher, Outwork fought hard to score a head win in the 1 and 1/8th mile assignment earning a crack at the Grade I Kentucky Derby next month in which his sire may have as many as four runners.

The win was a sentimental one for Mike Repole, who also raced Uncle Mo.

Exactly five years ago, Uncle Mo was favourite in this very race, but faded to finish third, so Saturday’s win was sweet redemption for Repole and company.

“To come back here five years later, with a son of Uncle Mo… that was one of my toughest racing days, and this is one of my best racing days,” he said. “My little daughter is nine months old, she won her first Grade I, it took me 42 years. She’s brought me some pretty good luck.”

A half-brother to stakes-placed Nonna’s Boy, Outwork has the impressive record of three wins and a second from four starts with prizemoney topping $700,000.

He is the second winner for Grade I placed Nonna Mia, a half-sister to Grade II winner Cairo Prince.